Connector bracket for interconnecting roof windows, a roof window arrangement, and a method for mounting at least two windows in an inclined roof structure

Abstract

A connector bracket for interconnecting roof windows mounted adjacent to each other in an inclined roof structure, one roof window being located below the other roof window when seen in the direction of inclination of the roof structure, is disclosed. A first connecting section of the connector bracket extends in a first direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and is configured for being connected to the mounting bracket on the first roof window in a pivot connection. A second connecting section extends in a second direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and is configured for being connected to the mounting bracket on the second roof window in a fixed connection. The first and second directions are non-parallel. A roof window arrangement where roof windows are interconnected by such a connector bracket and a method for mounting at least two roof windows are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A connector bracket for interconnecting roof windows mounted adjacent to each other in an inclined roof structure, one roof window being located below another roof window when seen in a direction of inclination of the inclined roof structure, wherein said connector bracket comprises a first connecting section and a second connecting section wherein when said connector bracket is installed in an operating position said first connecting section is connected to a mounting bracket on a first roof window and said second connecting section is connected to a mounting bracket on a second roof window and wherein said connector bracket is a single piece and said first roof window extends in a first length direction and said second roof window extends in a second length direction, said first length direction is substantially parallel to said second length direction, said first connecting section extends in a first direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and is configured for being connected to the mounting bracket on the first roof window in a pivot connection, said second connecting section extends in a second direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and is connected to the mounting bracket on the frame of the second roof window in a fixed connection, and said first and second directions are non-parallel.

2. The connector bracket according to claim 1, where said first and second directions extend at an angle of 60-150 degrees in relation to each other.

3. The connector bracket according to claim 2, where said first and second directions extend at an angle of 110-120 degrees in relation to each other.

4. The connector bracket according to claim 2, where at least the first and second connecting sections are plate shaped with the smallest dimension of the plate extending in a third direction extending perpendicular to the first and second directions.

5. The connector bracket according to claim 1, where at least the first and second connecting sections are plate shaped with the smallest dimension of the plate extending in a third direction extending perpendicular to the first and second directions.

6. The connector bracket according to claim 5, where the first connecting section and the second connecting section are off-set in relation to each other in a third direction extending perpendicular to the first and second directions.

7. The connector bracket according to claim 6, where the distance between the first and second connecting sections in the third direction is 10-100 mm.

8. The connector bracket according to claim 1, where the first connecting section and the second connecting section are off-set in relation to each other in a third direction extending perpendicular to the first and second directions.

9. The connector bracket according to claim 8, where the distance between the first and second connecting sections in the third direction is 10-100 mm.

10. The connector bracket according to claim 8, where the distance between the first and second connecting sections in the third direction is 20-50 mm.

11. The connector bracket according to claim 1, where the first connecting section includes an opening adapted for receiving a fastening member, wherein the fastening member is one of a pin or bolt.

12. The connector bracket according to claim 11, where said opening is an elongated opening.

13. The connector bracket according to claim 12, further including a third connecting section adapted for being connected to a supporting element of a flashing assembly.

14. The connector bracket according to claim 1, further including a third connecting section adapted for being connected to a supporting element of a flashing assembly.

15. A roof window arrangement for use in an inclined roof structure including at least two roof windows, where a first roof window is located below a second roof window when seen in a direction of inclination of the inclined roof structure, and where the first and second roof windows are interconnected by a connector bracket wherein said connector bracket comprises a first connecting section and a second connecting section wherein said connector bracket is configured such that said second connecting section does not move relative to said first connecting section and wherein when said connector bracket is installed in an operating position said first connecting section is connected to a mounting bracket on the first roof window and said second connecting section is connected to a mounting bracket on the second roof window and wherein said first roof window extends in a first length direction and said second roof window extends in a second length direction, said first length direction is substantially parallel to said second length direction, said first connecting section extends in a first direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and is configured for being connected to the mounting bracket on the first roof window in a pivot connection, said second connecting section extends in a second direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and is connected to the mounting bracket on the second roof window in a fixed connection, and said first and second directions are non-parallel.

16. The roof window arrangement according to claim 15, further including a mounting shoe on the mounting bracket on the first roof window, said mounting shoe being adapted for resting on a load-bearing structure of the roof structure, and where the first connecting section of the connector bracket is connected to the shoe in a pivot connection.

17. The roof window arrangement according to claim 16, where the mounting shoe is located between the mounting bracket on the first roof window and the first connecting section of the connector bracket.

18. The roof window arrangement according to claim 17, where the mounting bracket on the first roof window, the mounting shoe, and the first connecting section of the connector bracket are interconnected by a pin or bolt extending through aligned openings therein.

19. The roof window arrangement according to claim 16, where the mounting bracket on the first roof window, the mounting shoe, and the first connecting section of the connector bracket are interconnected by a pin or bolt extending through aligned openings therein.

20. A method for mounting at least two roof windows in an inclined roof structure, one below another when seen in a direction of inclination of the inclined roof structure, comprising the steps of: providing a first connecting section of a connector bracket connected to a mounting bracket on a first roof window in a pivot connection; providing a second connecting section of the connector bracket connected to a mounting bracket on a second roof window in a fixed connection, said first connecting section extending in a first direction from a centre section of the connector bracket and said second connecting section extending in a second direction from a centre section of the connector bracket, and said first and second directions being non-parallel and wherein said first roof window extends in a first length direction and said second roof window extends in a second length direction, said first length direction is substantially parallel to said second length direction; and, forming said connector bracket such that said first connecting section does not move relative to said second connection section.

Description

(1) In the following the invention will be described in further detail with reference to non-limiting embodiments shown in the drawing, where:

(2) FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away side-view of a roof window arrangement according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view of the roof window arrangement in FIG. 1 seen from the opposite side,

(4) FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the roof window arrangement in FIGS. 1 and 2,

(5) FIG. 4 is another partially cut-away perspective view of the roof window arrangement in FIGS. 1-3, where the flashing assembly has been removed,

(6) FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 4 but seen from the angle indicated by the arrow V in FIG. 4,

(7) FIG. 6 is a side-view of a connector bracket according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 7 is an end-view of the connector bracket in FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view of a prior art roof window arrangement,

(10) FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, but showing a roof window arrangement according to the invention,

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector bracket with a supporting element for a flashing assembly mounted thereon,

(12) FIG. 11 is a side-view of the connector bracket and supporting element in FIG. 10 seen from the direction indicated by the arrow IX in FIG. 10,

(13) FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the window arrangement corresponding to FIG. 3 but including the supporting element shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and

(14) FIG. 13 is a close-up of the detail marked XIII in FIG. 12 with parts of the flashing assembly removed.

(15) A window arrangement according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5. It includes a first roof window 1, a second roof window 2, a connector bracket 3, and a mounting shoe 4 resting on a load-bearing structure of an inclined roof-structure, here represented by an I-beam 5. The window arrangement further includes a flashing assembly generally designated 6.

(16) The first roof window 1, which is here the uppermost when seen in the direction of inclination of the roof structure, includes a mounting bracket 11, which is connected to the mounting shoe 4 and to a first connecting section 31 the connector bracket 3 in a pivot connection 71, here represented as a bolt extending through aligned openings in the mounting bracket, the mounting shoe, and the first connecting section.

(17) The second roof window 2, which is here the lowermost when seen in the direction of inclination of the roof structure, includes a mounting bracket 21, which is connected to a second connecting section 32 of the connector bracket 3 in a fixed connection, here represented as two pins 72 extending through aligned openings in the mounting bracket and the second connecting section.

(18) In other embodiments the first roof window 1 may be lowermost and the second roof window 2 uppermost in the mounted state.

(19) As is seen by comparing FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 the use of a connector bracket 3 according to the invention means that the two roof windows 1, 2 mounted one above the other rotate about the same point of rotation R3, whereas the two windows of the prior art roof window arrangement rotate about different points R1 and R2. This difference entails that loads from both roof windows in the roof window arrangement in FIG. 9 can be transferred to one mounting shoe 4 on the load-bearing beam 5, thus potentially allowing a simpler load-bearing structure. Moreover, it means that both the distance D3 between the windows in the parallel with the plane of the roof structure, and the distance D4 between the exterior sides of the panes of the two roof windows can be decreased. This both saves space, increases the relative light admitting area, and allows a minimalistic visual appearance of the roof window arrangement, which is often preferred in modern architecture.

(20) The connector bracket 3 in FIG. 9 is shown as being convex on the side facing the exterior of the building in the mounted state, whereas the connector brackets in the other figures are concave towards the interior as is presently preferred.

(21) The openings in the connector bracket 3 used for establishing the connection with the mounting brackets 11,21 and the mounting shoe 4 are seen clearly in FIG. 6, which shows the connector bracket from the same side as in FIG. 1. Opening 311 in the first connecting section 31 is elongate, which allows connector bracket to slide a little bit in relation to the bolt 71, thus allowing the connector bracket to both pivot in relation to the mounting bracket 11 on the first roof window and to accommodate smaller variations during mounting. The openings 321 in the second connecting section 32, of which only two are used in the embodiment of the roof window arrangement shown, are circular as they are configured to establish a fixed connection to the mounting bracket 21 on the second roof window.

(22) As is also best seen in FIG. 6 the first connecting section 31 extends in a first direction D1 from a centre section 30 of the connector bracket 3 and the second connecting section 32 extends in a second direction D2 from the centre section, said first and second directions extending at an angle A in relation to each other.

(23) The first and second directions D1, D2 are here defined as lines extending through the gravitational centre of the connector bracket and through the gravitational centre of the openings used for establishing the connection to the mounting brackets. If the connector bracket is without such openings and configured for being connected to the mounting brackets of the two roof windows in another way, such as for example by projections adapted for engaging with openings in the mounting brackets, the first and second directions are defined by lines extending through the gravitational centre of the connector bracket and through the centre of the connection with the respective mounting brackets.

(24) In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the angle A between the first and second directions is 115 degrees. This angle allows the connector bracket 3 to extend down along the outer side of the frame of the second roof window, and to extend over the beam 5 of the load-bearing structure as is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, while still having sufficient surface area to possess the necessary strength. The rounded shapes of the first and second connecting sections 31, 32 ensures that there are no sharp corners, which might be dangerous to the installers mounting the roof windows, and further facilitates turning of connector bracket in relation to other items during mounting. Moreover, the stresses which tend to build up at sharp corners in a bracket is avoided.

(25) This embodiment of the connector bracket 3 is plate shaped with the smallest dimension of the plate extending in a third direction D3 extending perpendicular to the first and second directions, i.e. in parallel to the bolt 71 and pins 72, as shown in FIG. 7. This means that the connections between the mounting brackets 11,21 and the connector bracket 3 have a limited extend in the third direction. Moreover, as the loads from the roof windows 1,2 act primarily in the plane defined by the first and second directions D1, D2, the plate shape ensures that the material of connector bracket is concentrated where it is most needed. A thicker bracket or a bracket having flanges extending in the third direction or other adaptations intended to increase its torsional strength is, however, within the scope of the invention.

(26) As is also seen in FIG. 7 the second connecting section 32 of the connector bracket 3 is in this embodiment off-set in relation to the centre section 30 and the first connecting section 31 in the third direction D3 extending perpendicular to the first and second directions. This is achieved by the connector bracket being provided with an oblique section 35. In this embodiment the oblique section is formed simply by two bends on the plate material used for the connector bracket 3, but the connector bracket could also be formed from two pieces of material, which were interconnected to be arranged at a distance from each other. Likewise, reinforcement could be provided at the bends and/or at the oblique section.

(27) At the top, the connector bracket in FIGS. 6 and 7 is provided with a third section 33 having openings 331 adapted for interconnection with a supporting element 60 of a flashing assembly 6 as it is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The opening 332 is intended to serve as a point of attachment where a crane or similar handling equipment can get a hold of the connector bracket during mounting, possibly when the connector bracket 3 is already connected to the second window.

(28) As is seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 the openings 331 are adapted to align with similar openings 611 in a connecting section 61 of a supporting element 60 so that a fixed connection can be established as described with reference to the connection between the connector bracket 3 and the mounting bracket 21 on the second roof window 2 above.

(29) The part 62 of the supporting element 60 which is uppermost in FIGS. 10 and 11 is gutter-shaped and the side flanges 621 defining the gutter are each intended to engage with a bent edge 631 of a flashing member 63 as shown for one of them in FIGS. 12 and 13. In the finished construction a further flashing member engages with the opposite side flange of the supporting element, but this has been left out to allow the supporting element to be seen. In this way the loads from the flashing member 63 covering the space between the first and the second roof window are transmitted at least partially to the connector bracket 3 and from there via the mounting shoe 4 to the load-bearing structure 5, thus minimizing the loads acting on the roof windows 1,2. Moreover, the fact that the supporting element 60 rests on the connector bracket 3 means that the mounting brackets 11, 21 on the roof windows do not have to be configured to carry the supporting element as has been the case in prior art roof window arrangements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(30) 1 First roof window

(31) 11 Mounting bracket

(32) 2 Second roof window

(33) 21 Mounting bracket

(34) 3 Connector bracket

(35) 30 Centre section

(36) 31 First connecting section

(37) 311 Opening

(38) 32 Second connecting section

(39) 321 Opening

(40) 33 Third section

(41) 331 Openings

(42) 332 Openings

(43) 35 Oblique section

(44) 4 Mounting shoe

(45) 5 Load-bearing structure

(46) 6 Flashing assembly

(47) 60 Supporting element

(48) 61 Connecting section

(49) 611 Openings

(50) 62 Part of the supporting element

(51) 63 Flashing member

(52) 631 Bent edge

(53) 71 Pivot connection

(54) 72 Pins

(55) A Angle

(56) D1 Distance

(57) 2 Distance

(58) D3 Distance

(59) D4 Distance

(60) R1 Point of rotation

(61) R2 Point of rotation

(62) R3 Point of rotation